1966 Shelby Cobra - With a Race History For Sale

If you appreciate the historical significance of big block 427 Shelby Cobras with racing provenance, you’ll want to know more about this 1966 Shelby Cobra CSX3195! This fascinating 66 Cobra includes over thirty years of receipts, racing log books, magazine articles, pictures, and related...

1966 Shelby Cobra - With a Race History

If you appreciate the historical significance of big block 427 Shelby Cobras with racing provenance, you’ll want to know more about this 1966 Shelby Cobra CSX3195! This fascinating 66 Cobra includes over thirty years of receipts, racing log books, magazine articles, pictures, and related documentation materials.

The racing log books of CSX3195, and related documents, tell the story of a 427 Cobra originally driven as a street car. CSX3195 was then modified to S/C configuration and campaigned by close friends of Carroll Shelby. Today, CSX3195 is a beautifully maintained Cobra, still equipped with the factory installed 427 side-oiler block, but upgraded by Bob Corn of Roush Racing for use on the track.

Over the years, careful attention has been paid to maintaining the design integrity of the car, using NOS and original parts as needed. As a result, all major components are original Shelby factory parts. This includes the original toploader and four speed transmission, which have been rebuilt. Any factory items that have been replaced for racing purposes were saved and go with the car, including seats, wheels, and tires.

The engine was completely rebuilt by Bob Corn, of Roush Racing, at the request of former owner Jim Farley (close friend of the late Carroll Shelby and now COO of Ford Motor Company). When Jim commissioned the rebuild, his goal was to “build the finest Cobra that exists”. No expense was spared as he prepared the car for both competition and street drive-ability. Bob Corn designed the engine with over 600HP and 600 lb. ft. of torque. He wanted CSX3195 to withstand the rigors of West Coast racing venues, like Laguna Seca and Riverside.

CSX3195 is well known in racing circles. It was raced by Bill Kontes - The Checkered Flag - in the early 80’s. Then the late Mac Archer, a close friend of Carroll Shelby, came into possession of CSX3195 and raced it at West Coast venues for 27 years before it was purchased by John Linfesty. Linfesty sold it to Jim Farley a few months later. Jim campaigned the car in the US until he transferred to Europe and CSX3195 was sold to the current owner in 2014. Like many Cobras, CSX3195 has been many different colors during its life. It was originally black with black interior. However, Mac Archer raced it in red livery as did John Linfesty. Jim Farley then painted it Le Mans Blue during the restoration.

It was originally billed to Shelby American on October 27, 1965, and shipped to Shelby American in Los Angeles on work order #18081 which stated, "Build 427 Street Cobra CSX3195". It was opened on December 23, 1965 and closed on January 20, 1966. Shelby American Invoice #A 1938 dated January 25, 1966 billed Johnny Bolton Ford in Maitland, Florida for the car where it was delivered new. The invoice reads "CSX3195, 1966 Cobra, Black/Black, $6,088.00 plus freight, $295, total$6,383.00."

The pictures of this 1966 Shelby Cobra racer show the beautiful Le Mans Blue livery accented with Wimbledon White Le Mans stripes and roundels that retain Jim’s #96. With the racing history and over-the-top construction, this one of a kind original Shelby Cobra CSX3000 Series racer is sure to enjoy continued appreciation. It is priced at $1.75 million US.